Reverse convertible financial instrument

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided herewith for providing a financial instrument. In some embodiments, a processor may receive one or more performance parameters for determining a performance of an asset at one or more future times are received from one or more parties. The processor may receive a request to generate indicia of a financial instrument. The financial instrument may comprise a funding instrument that specifies rights and obligations of at least a first party and a second party respecting a funding contribution from the first party for funding an asset owned at least in part by the second party. The processor may determine a plurality of possible measurements of a future performance of the asset based at least in part on the received performance parameters. The processor may determine a conversion schedule for converting at least a portion of the first user&#39;s rights in the financial instrument into an equity component of the asset. The conversion schedule may specify a possible post-conversion equity component for each of the plurality of possible performance measurements. In some embodiments, the conversion schedule may specify a greater possible post-conversion equity component for a greater possible performance measurement. The processor may transmit the conversion schedule to the second party.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/164,163 filed Oct. 18, 2018 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/092,818 filed Apr. 22, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,109,011 issued on Oct. 23, 2018) which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/327,100 filed Apr. 22, 2010, all of whichare hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate tocreating, editing, displaying, and managing a financial instrumenthaving debt and equity components.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate tocreating, editing, displaying, and managing a financial instrumenthaving debt and equity components. In some embodiments, a processor mayreceive one or more performance parameters for determining a performanceof an asset at one or more future times are received from one or moreparties. The processor may receive a request to generate indicia of afinancial instrument. The financial instrument may comprise a fundinginstrument that specifies rights and obligations of at least a firstparty and a second party respecting a funding contribution from thefirst party for funding an asset owned at least in part by the secondparty. The processor may determine a plurality of possible measurementsof a future performance of the asset based at least in part on thereceived performance parameters. The processor may determine aconversion schedule for converting at least a portion of the firstuser's rights in the financial instrument into an equity component ofthe asset. The conversion schedule may specify a possiblepost-conversion equity component for each of the plurality of possibleperformance measurements. In some embodiments, the conversion schedulemay specify a greater possible post-conversion equity component for agreater possible performance measurement.

The processor may transmit the conversion schedule to the second party.The processor may receive indicia indicating that the first and secondparty agree to terms of the financial instrument. The processor maytransmit to the second party a confirmation of acceptance of thefinancial instrument. After the act of transmitting the confirmation ofacceptance, the processor may determine a measurement of the performanceof the asset according to the terms of the financial instrument. Theprocessor may determine a post-conversion amount based on the measuredperformance of the asset according to the conversion schedule. Theprocessor may transmit to the second party indicia indicating that acontract comprising the financial instrument has been executed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary effective coupon for a financial instrumentaccording to at least one embodiment of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary conversion test for a financial instrumentaccording to at least one embodiment of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary valuation at various break points for afinancial instrument according to at least one embodiment of the systemsand methods disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary comparison of various financial transactionstructures including a structure involving a financial instrumentaccording to at least one embodiment of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein.

The following sections I-XI provide a guide to interpreting the presentapplication.

I. Terms

The term “product” means a machine, manufacture and/or composition ofmatter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “process” means a process, algorithm, method or the like,unless expressly specified otherwise.

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere description of a process, or in the mere recitation of the term‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

The term “invention” and the like mean “the one or more inventionsdisclosed in this application”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “anotherembodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments ofthe invention”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of theinvention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “indication” is used in an extremely broad sense. An“indication” of a thing should be understood to include anything thatmay be used to determine the thing.

An indication of a thing may include an electronic message thatidentifies the thing (e.g., an identification of a widget by a serialnumber affixed to the widget, an identification of a widget by one ormore characteristics of the widget). An indication of a thing mayinclude information that may be used to compute and/or look-up a thing(e.g., information identifying a machine of which a widget is a partthat may be used to determine the widget). An indication of a thing mayspecify things that are related to the thing (e.g., characteristics ofthe thing, a name of the thing, a name of a thing related to the thing).An indication of a thing may not specify things that are related to thething (e.g., a letter “a” may be an indication of a widget of a computersystem that is configured to interpret the letter “a” to identify thewidget). An indication of a thing may include a sign, a symptom, and/ora token of the thing. An indication, for example, may include a code, areference, an example, a link, a signal, and/or an identifier. Anindication of a thing may include information that represents,describes, and/or otherwise is associated with the thing.

A transformation of an indication of a thing may be an indication of thething (e.g., an encrypted indication of a thing may be an indication ofthe thing). An indication of a thing may include the thing itself, acopy of the thing, and/or a portion of the thing. An indication of athing may be meaningless to a thing that is not configured to understandthe indication (e.g., a person may not understand that a letter “a”indicates a widget but it may nonetheless be an indication of the widgetbecause the computer system may determine the widget from the letter“a”). It should be understood that the fact that an indication of athing may be used to determine the thing does not mean that the thing oranything else is determined. An indication of a thing may include anindication of any number of the thing unless specified otherwise. Anindication of a thing may include an indication of other things (e.g.,an electronic message that indicates may things). (Indication can beused as a very broad term in claim language. For example: receiving anindication of a financial instrument.)

The term “represent” means (1) to serve to express, designate, standfor, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; (2) to express ordesignate by some term, character, symbol, or the like; (3) to portrayor depict or present the likeness of, as a picture does; or (4) to serveas a sign or symbol of.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, the merefact that two (or more) embodiments are referenced does not imply thatthose embodiments are mutually exclusive.

One embodiment of the invention may include or cover or embrace morethan one other embodiment of the invention. For example, a firstembodiment comprising elements a, b, and c may cover a second embodimentthat comprises elements a, b, c, and d as well as a third embodimentcovering elements a, b, c, and e. Similarly, each of the first, second,and third embodiments may cover a fourth embodiment comprising elementsa, b, c, d, and e.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not necessarily limited to”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. Thus, for example, the sentence “the machine includes a redwidget and a blue widget” means the machine includes the red widget andthe blue widget, but may possibly include one or more other items aswell.

The term “consisting of” and variations thereof mean “including and alsolimited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. Thus, for example,the sentence “the machine consists of a red widget and a blue widget”means the machine includes the red widget and the blue widget, but doesnot include anything else.

The term “compose” and variations thereof mean “to make up theconstituent parts of, component of or member of”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. Thus, for example, the sentence “the red widget andthe blue widget compose a machine” means the machine includes the redwidget and the blue widget.

The term “exclusively compose” and variations thereof mean “to make upexclusively the constituent parts of, to be the only components of, orto be the only members of”, unless expressly specified otherwise. Thus,for example, the sentence “the red widget and the blue widgetexclusively compose a machine” means the machine consists of the redwidget and the blue widget (i.e. and nothing else).

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” refer to “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. Thus, for example, the phrase “a widget” means oneor more widgets, unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, afterreciting the phrase “a widget”, a subsequent recitation of the phrase“the widget” means “the one or more widgets”. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the word “the” may also refer to a specific term havingantecedent basis. For example, if a paragraph mentions “a specificsingle feature” and then refers to “the feature,” then the phrase “thefeature” should be understood to refer to the previously mentioned “aspecific single feature.” (It should be understood that the term “a” in“a specific single feature” refers to “one” specific single feature andnot “one or more” specific single features.)

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in the present application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel. The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifiesa plurality of things does not mean “one of” each of the plurality ofthings. For example, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and awheel” does not mean “one widget, one car and one wheel”.

Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbersto indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), meanthe quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at leastthe quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase“one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore thephrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” covers both“based only on” and “based at least on”. The phrase “based at least on”is equivalent to the phrase “based at least in part on”. For example,the phrase “element A is calculated based on element B and element C”covers embodiments where element A is calculated as the product of Btimes C (in other words, A=B×C), embodiments where A is calculated asthe sum of B plus C (in other words, A=B+C), embodiments where A iscalculated as a product of B times C times D, embodiments where A iscalculated as a sum of the square root of B plus C plus D times E, andso on.

The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” does not mean“represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example,the phrase “the data represents a credit card number” covers both “thedata represents only a credit card number” and “the data represents acredit card number and the data also represents something else”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is explicitly recited before the term “whereby”. Thus,when the term “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other wordsthat the term “whereby” modifies do not establish specific furtherlimitations of the claim or otherwise restrict the meaning or scope ofthe claim.

The terms “e.g”, “such as” and like terms mean “for example”, and thusdo not limit the term or phrase they explain. For example, in thesentence “the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure)over the Internet”, the term “e.g.” explains that “instructions” are anexample of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and alsoexplains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that thecomputer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “adata structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides“instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

The term “respective” and like terms mean “taken individually”. Thus iftwo or more things have “respective” characteristics, then each suchthing has its own characteristic, and these characteristics can bedifferent from each other but need not be. For example, the phrase “eachof two machines has a respective function” means that the first of thetwo machines has a function and the second of the two machines has afunction as well. The function of the first machine may or may not bethe same as the function of the second machine.

The term “i.e.” and like terms mean “that is”, and thus limits the termor phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sendsdata (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explainsthat “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over theInternet.

A numerical range includes integers and non-integers in the range,unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the range “1 to 10”includes the integers from 1 to 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . 9, 10) andnon-integers (e.g., 1.0031415926, 1.1, 1.2, . . . 1.9).

Where two or more terms or phrases are synonymous (e.g., because of anexplicit statement that the terms or phrases are synonymous), instancesof one such term or phrase does not mean instances of another such termor phrase must have a different meaning. For example, where a statementrenders the meaning of “including” to be synonymous with “including butnot limited to”, the mere usage of the phrase “including but not limitedto” does not mean that the term “including” means something other than“including but not limited to”.

II. Determining

The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., todetermine a price, determining a value, the determination of an objectwhich meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense.The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions andtherefore “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing,deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, adatabase or another data structure), rendering into electronic format ordigital representation, ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining”can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g.,accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” caninclude resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision,and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating,predicting, guessing, averaging and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing mustbe performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used,and does not imply that an algorithm is used.

The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must beused. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform thedetermining.

The term “determining” may include “calculating”. The term “calculating”should be understood to include performing one or more calculations.Calculating may include computing, processing, and/or deriving.Calculating may be performed by a computing device. For example,calculating a thing may include applying an algorithm to data by acomputer processor and generating the thing as an output of theprocessor.

The term “determining” may include “referencing”. The term “referencing”should be understood to include making one or more reference, e.g., to athing. Referencing may include querying, accessing, selecting, choosing,reading, and/or looking-up. The act of referencing may be performed by acomputing device. For example, referencing a thing may include reading amemory location in which the thing is stored by a processor.

The term “determining” may include “receiving”. For example, receiving athing may include taking in the thing. In some embodiments, receivingmay include acts performed to take in a thing, such as operating anetwork interface through which the thing is taken in. In someembodiments, receiving may be performed without acts performed to takein the thing, such as in a direct memory write or a hard wired circuit.Receiving a thing may include receiving a thing from a remote sourcethat may have calculated the thing.

III. Forms of Sentences

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to that limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this mere usage does not imply that the first claim covers only one ofthe feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers onlyone of the feature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget andmore than one widget).

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term, but that ordinalnumber does not have any other meaning or limiting effect—it is merely aconvenient name. For example, a “first widget” may be so named merely todistinguish it from, e.g., a “second widget”. Thus, the mere usage ofthe ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” doesnot indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, andlikewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or bothwidgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” (1) does not indicate that eitherwidget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) doesnot indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any otherin time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above orbelow any other, as in importance or quality. The mere usage of ordinalnumbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identifiedwith the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinalnumbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicatethat there are exactly two widgets.

When a single device, article or other product is described herein, inanother embodiment more than one device or article (whether or not theycooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device orarticle that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that isdescribed as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessedby more than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate) inanother embodiment.

Similarly, where more than one device, article or other product isdescribed herein (whether or not they cooperate), in another embodimenta single device or article may alternatively be used in place of themore than one device or article that is described. For example, aplurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a singlecomputer-based device. In some embodiments, such a plurality ofcomputer-based devices may operate together to perform one step of aprocess such as is common in grid computing systems. In someembodiments, such a plurality of computer-based devices may operateprovide added functionality to one another so that the plurality mayoperate to perform one step of a process such as is common in cloudcomputing systems. (Conversely, a single computer-based device may besubstituted with multiple computer-based devices operating incooperation with one another. For example, a single computing device maybe substituted with a server and a workstation in communication with oneanother over the internet) Accordingly, the various functionality thatis described as being possessed by more than one device or article mayalternatively be possessed by a single device or article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may, in another embodiment, be alternatively embodied by oneor more other devices which are described but are not explicitlydescribed as having such functionality or features. Thus, otherembodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather caninclude the one or more other devices which would, in those otherembodiments, have such functionality or features.

IV. Disclosed Examples and Terminology are not Limiting

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thepresent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thepresent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way the scope ofthe disclosed invention, is to be used in interpreting the meaning ofany claim or is to be used in limiting the scope of any claim. AnAbstract has been included in this application merely because anAbstract is required under 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

The headings of sections provided in the present application are forconvenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure inany way.

Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The disclosedinvention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readilyapparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the disclosed invention may be practiced with variousmodifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software,and electrical modifications. Although particular features of thedisclosed invention may be described with reference to one or moreparticular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood thatsuch features are not limited to usage in the one or more particularembodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described,unless expressly specified otherwise.

Though an embodiment may be disclosed as including several features,other embodiments of the invention may include fewer than all suchfeatures. Thus, for example, a claim may be directed to less than theentire set of features in a disclosed embodiment, and such claim wouldnot be interpreted as requiring features beyond those features that theclaim expressly recites.

No embodiment of method steps or product elements described in thepresent application constitutes the invention claimed herein, or isessential to the invention claimed herein, or is coextensive with theinvention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated tobe so in this specification or (with respect to a claim and theinvention defined by that claim) expressly recited in that claim.

Any preambles of the claims that recite anything other than a statutoryclass shall be interpreted to recite purposes, benefits and possibleuses of the claimed invention, and such preambles shall not be construedto limit the claimed invention.

The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodimentsof the invention. Also, the present disclosure is not a listing offeatures of the invention which must be present in all embodiments.

All disclosed embodiments are not necessarily covered by the claims(even including all pending, amended, issued and canceled claims). Inaddition, a disclosed embodiment may be (but need not necessarily be)covered by several claims. Accordingly, where a claim (regardless ofwhether pending, amended, issued or canceled) is directed to aparticular embodiment, such is not evidence that the scope of otherclaims do not also cover that embodiment.

Devices that are described as in communication with each other need notbe in continuous communication with each other, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit toeach other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at atime). In addition, devices that are in communication with each othermay communicate directly or indirectly through one or moreintermediaries. Devices are in communication with one another if theyare capable of at least one-way communication with one another. Forexample, a first device is in communication with a second device if thefirst device is capable of transmitting information to the seconddevice. Similarly, the second device is in communication with the firstdevice if the second device is capable of receiving information from thefirst device.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components or features arerequired. On the contrary, a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of thepresent invention. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no componentor feature is essential or required.

Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described orclaimed in a particular sequential order, such processes may beconfigured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence ororder of steps that may be explicitly described or claimed does notnecessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in thatorder. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in anyorder possible. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneouslydespite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously(e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover,the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does notimply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations andmodifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process orany of its steps are necessary to the invention, and does not imply thatthe illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred,essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of thedescribed invention include other processes that omit some or all of thedescribed steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a process may be described singly or without reference to otherproducts or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact withother products or methods. For example, such interaction may includelinking one business model to another business model. Such interactionmay be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of theprocess.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred,essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of thedescribed invention include other products that omit some or all of thedescribed plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, and aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other orreadily substituted for each other.

All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention orany embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be.

V. Computing

It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that thevarious processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purposecomputers and computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one ormore microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digitalsignal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory orlike device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing one ormore processes defined by those instructions. Instructions may beembodied in, e.g., one or more computer programs, one or more scripts.

The term “compute” shall mean to determine using a processor inaccordance with a software algorithm.

A “processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processingunits (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs) or like devices or anycombination thereof, regardless of the architecture (e.g., chip-levelmultiprocessing or multi-core, RISC, CISC, Microprocessor withoutInterlocked Pipeline Stages, pipelining configuration, simultaneousmultithreading, microprocessor with integrated graphics processing unit,GPGPU).

A “computing device” means one or more microprocessors, centralprocessing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digitalsignal processors, graphics card, mobile gaming device, or like devicesor any combination thereof, regardless of the architecture (e.g.,chip-level multiprocessing or multi-core, RISC, CISC, Microprocessorwithout Interlocked Pipeline Stages, pipelining configuration,simultaneous multithreading).

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of anapparatus for performing the process. The apparatus that performs theprocess can include, e.g., a processor and those input devices andoutput devices that are appropriate to perform the process. For example,a description of a process is a description of an apparatus comprising aprocessor and memory that stores a program comprising instructions that,when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform themethod.

The apparatus that performs the process can include a plurality ofcomputing devices that work together to perform the process. Some of thecomputing devices may work together to perform each step of a process,may work on separate steps of a process, may provide underlying servicesthat other computing devices that may facilitate the performance of theprocess. Such computing devices may act under instruction of acentralized authority. In another embodiment, such computing devices mayact without instruction of a centralized authority. Some examples ofapparatus that may operate in some or all of these ways may include gridcomputer systems, cloud computer systems, peer-to-peer computer systems,computer systems configured to provide software as a service, and so on.For example, the apparatus may comprise a computer system that executesthe bulk of its processing load on a remote server but outputs displayinformation to and receives user input information from a local usercomputer, such as a computer system that executes VMware software.

Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types ofdata) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g.,computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments,hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or incombination with, some or all of the software instructions that canimplement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, variouscombinations of hardware and software may be used instead of softwareonly.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium, a plurality ofthe same, or a combination of different media, that participate inproviding data (e.g., instructions, data structures) which may be readby a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take manyforms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, opticalor magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includedynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes themain memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire andfiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled tothe processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves,light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generatedduring radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM,an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrierwave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computercan read.

The term “tangible computer-readable medium” refers to a“computer-readable medium” that comprises a hardware component, such asoptical or magnetic disks.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingdata (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, datamay be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over awireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or transmittedaccording to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet(or IEEE 802.3), wireless local area network communication defined bythe IEEE 802.11 specifications whether or not they are approved by theWiFi Alliance, SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G;and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of avariety of ways well known in the art.

The term “database” refers to any electronically-stored collection ofdata that is stored in a retrievable format.

The term “data structure” refers to a database in a hardware machinesuch as a computer.

The term “network” means a series of points or nodes interconnected bycommunication paths. For example, a network can include a plurality ofcomputers or communication devices interconnected by one or more wiredand/or wireless communication paths. Networks can interconnect withother networks and contain subnetworks.

The term “predetermined” means determined beforehand, e.g., before apresent time or a present action. For example, the phrase “displaying apredetermined value” means displaying a value that was determined beforethe act of displaying.

The term “condition” means (1) a premise upon which the fulfillment ofan agreement depends, or (2) something essential to the appearance oroccurrence of something else.

The term “transaction” means (1) an exchange or transfer of goods,services, or funds, or (2) a communicative action or activity involvingtwo parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other.

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of acomputer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process.The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) thoseprogram elements which are appropriate to perform the method. Forexample, a description of a process is a description of acomputer-readable storage medium that stores a program comprisinginstructions that, when executed by a processor, direct the processor toperform the method.

Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicatethat all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatusinclude a computer or computing device operable to perform some (but notnecessarily all) of the described process.

Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does notindicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of acomputer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include acomputer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, cancause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of thedescribed process.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such adatabase.

Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication (e.g., via acommunications network) with one or more devices. The computer maycommunicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired orwireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, atelephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communicationsline, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, asatellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Eachof the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computingdevices, such as those based on the Intel®, Pentium®, or Centrino™,Atom™ or Core™ processor, that are adapted to communicate with thecomputer. Any number and type of devices may be in communication withthe computer.

In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority may not benecessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in anembodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a centralauthority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein asperformed by the server computer or data described as stored on theserver computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or moresuch devices.

Where a process is described, in an embodiment the process may operatewithout any user intervention. In another embodiment, the processincludes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or withthe assistance of a human).

As used herein, the term “encryption” refers to a process for obscuringor hiding information so that the information is not readilyunderstandable without special knowledge. The process of encryption maytransform raw information, called plaintext, into encrypted information.The encrypted information may be called ciphertext, and the algorithmfor transforming the plaintext into ciphertext may be referred to as acipher. A cipher may also be used for performing the reverse operationof converting the ciphertext back into plaintext. Examples of ciphersinclude substitution ciphers, transposition ciphers, and ciphersimplemented using rotor machines.

In various encryption methods, ciphers may require a supplementary pieceof information called a key. A key may consist, for example, of a stringof bits. A key may be used in conjunction with a cipher to encryptplaintext. A key may also be used in conjunction with a cipher todecrypt ciphertext. In a category of ciphers called symmetric keyalgorithms (e.g., private-key cryptography), the same key is used forboth encryption and decryption. The sanctity of the encryptedinformation may thus depend on the key being kept secret. Examples ofsymmetric key algorithms are DES and AES. In a category of cipherscalled asymmetric key algorithms (e.g., public-key cryptography),different keys are used for encryption and decryption. With anasymmetric key algorithm, any member of the public may use a first key(e.g., a public key) to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext. However, onlythe holder of a second key (e.g., the private key) will be able todecrypt the ciphertext back in to plaintext. An example of an asymmetrickey algorithm is the RSA algorithm.

VI. Continuing Applications

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication.

Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursue patents forsubject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed inthe present application.

VII. 35 U.S.C. § 112, Paragraph 6

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase “meansfor” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6,applies to that limitation.

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase“means for” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. § 112,paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whetherthat limitation recites a function without recitation of structure,material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim,the mere use of the phrase “step of” or the phrase “steps of” inreferring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does notmean that 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).

With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, the correspondingstructure, material or acts described in the specification, andequivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as thespecified function.

Computers, processors, computing devices and like products arestructures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such productscan be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or moreprograms, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product orin a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expresslyspecified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particularalgorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed inthe present application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill inthe art that a specified function may be implemented via differentalgorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a meredesign choice for carrying out the specified function.

Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specifiedfunction in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, structurecorresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed toperform the specified function. Such structure includes programmedproducts which perform the function, regardless of whether such productis programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing thefunction, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or(iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.

Where there is recited a means for performing a function that is amethod, one structure for performing this method includes a computingdevice (e.g., a general purpose computer) that is programmed and/orconfigured with appropriate hardware to perform that function.

Also included is a computing device (e.g., a general purpose computer)that is programmed and/or configured with appropriate hardware toperform that function via other algorithms as would be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art.

VIII. Disclaimer

Numerous references to a particular embodiment do not indicate adisclaimer or disavowal of additional, different embodiments, andsimilarly references to the description of embodiments which all includea particular feature do not indicate a disclaimer or disavowal ofembodiments which do not include that particular feature. A cleardisclaimer or disavowal in the present application will be prefaced bythe phrase “does not include” or by the phrase “cannot perform”.

IX. Incorporation By Reference

Any patent, patent application or other document referred to herein isincorporated by reference into this patent application as part of thepresent disclosure, but only for purposes of written description andenablement in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 1, and shouldin no way be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term ofthe present application, unless without such incorporation by reference,no ordinary meaning would have been ascertainable by a person ofordinary skill in the art. Such person of ordinary skill in the art neednot have been in any way limited by any embodiments provided in thereference. Conversely, the definitions provided in this applicationshould not be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term ofany document incorporated herein by reference. The definitions set forthexplicitly in this application are controlling notwithstanding thedescription of particular embodiments that may be incompatible with thedefinition(s).

Any incorporation by reference does not, in and of itself, imply anyendorsement of, ratification of or acquiescence in any statements,opinions, arguments or characterizations contained in any incorporatedpatent, patent application or other document, unless explicitlyspecified otherwise in this patent application.

X. Prosecution History

In interpreting the present application (which includes the claims), oneof ordinary skill in the art refers to the prosecution history of thepresent application, but not to the prosecution history of any otherpatent or patent application, regardless of whether there are otherpatent applications that are considered related to the presentapplication, and regardless of whether there are other patentapplications that share a claim of priority with the presentapplication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, a processor may receive one or more performanceparameters for determining a performance of an asset at one or morefuture times are received from one or more parties. The processor mayreceive a request to generate indicia of a financial instrument. Thefinancial instrument may comprise a funding instrument that specifiesrights and obligations of at least a first party and a second partyrespecting a funding contribution from the first party for funding anasset owned at least in part by the second party. The processor maydetermine a plurality of possible measurements of a future performanceof the asset based at least in part on the received performanceparameters. The processor may determine a conversion schedule forconverting at least a portion of the first user's rights in thefinancial instrument into an equity component of the asset. Theconversion schedule may specify a possible post-conversion equitycomponent for each of the plurality of possible performancemeasurements. In some embodiments, the conversion schedule may specify agreater possible post-conversion equity component for a greater possibleperformance measurement. The processor may transmit the conversionschedule to the second party.

In some embodiments, the processor may receive indicia indicating thatthe first and second party agree to terms of the financial instrument.The processor may transmit to the second party a confirmation ofacceptance of the financial instrument. After the act of transmittingthe confirmation of acceptance, the processor may determine ameasurement of the performance of the asset according to the terms ofthe financial instrument. The processor may determine a post-conversionamount based on the measured performance of the asset according to theconversion schedule. The processor may transmit to the second partyindicia indicating that a contract comprising the financial instrumenthas been executed.

In some embodiments, the processor may receive indicia indicating thatthe first and second party agree to terms of the financial instrument.

In some embodiments, the processor may transmit to the second party aconfirmation of acceptance of the financial instrument.

In some embodiments, the processor may determine a measurement of theperformance of the asset according to the terms of the financialinstrument, e.g., after the act of transmitting the confirmation ofacceptance.

In some embodiments, the processor may determine a post-conversionamount based on the measured performance of the asset according to theconversion schedule.

In some embodiments, the processor may transmit to the second partyindicia indicating that a contract comprising the financial instrumenthas been executed.

In some embodiments, the conversion schedule may further indicate afuture time upon which the future performance of the asset will bemeasured, e.g., according to terms of the financial instrument.

In some embodiments, the financial instrument may specify that the atleast portion of the first user's rights automatically convert to apost-conversion equity component according to the conversion scheduleif, e.g., at a future time, the asset satisfies a performance metric.

In some embodiments, the financial instrument may specify that the atleast portion of the first user's rights convert to a post-conversionequity component according to the conversion schedule, e.g., if one orboth of the following occur: (a) at a future time, the asset satisfies aperformance metric and (b) the first user elects to convert the at leastportion of the first user's rights into the post-conversion equitycomponent.

In some embodiments, the financial instrument may specify that the atleast portion of the first user's rights automatically convert to apost-conversion equity component according to the conversion scheduleif, at a predetermined future time, the asset satisfies a performancemetric.

In some embodiments, the financial instrument may specify that the atleast portion of the first user's rights automatically convert to apost-conversion equity component according to the conversion scheduleupon an occurrence of the asset satisfying a predetermined performancemetric.

In some embodiments, the financial instrument may specify that the atleast portion of the first user's rights automatically convert to apost-conversion equity component according to the conversion scheduleupon an occurrence of one or more predetermined market conditions.

In some embodiments, the plurality of possible performance measurementsmay be based on potential measurements of the asset's earnings at one ormore future times, the future times being determined prior to executionof a contract comprising the financial instrument.

In some embodiments, the financial instrument may comprise a loancomponent wherein the first party is a lender of funds and the secondparty is a borrower of the funds.

In some embodiments, the conversion schedule may further specify apost-conversion debt component owed by the second party to the firstparty after conversion.

In some embodiments, the post-conversion amounts may comprise differentamounts of equity that may be converted from at least a portion of theloan component upon an election of the first party after an occurrenceof a corresponding possible performance measurement.

In some embodiments, the post-conversion amounts may comprise differentamounts of equity that will automatically be converted from at least aportion of the loan component as a result of an occurrence of acorresponding possible performance measurement.

In some embodiments, the equity component may comprise common stock inthe asset.

In some embodiments, the equity component may comprise preferred stockin the asset.

In some embodiments, the equity component may comprise preferred stockin the asset. The preferred stock may be configured to receive dividendpayments, e.g., from the second party (or another party) at one or moretimes after conversion, e.g., according to a payment schedule determinedat the time of issuance of the preferred stock, or an earlier or latertime (such as a time of specifying the financial instrument, or a timebased on performance criteria and/or market conditions).

In some embodiments, the equity component may comprise preferred stockin the asset that is convertible at a conversion rate into common stockin the asset.

In some embodiments, the conversion rate may comprise a variable ratedetermined based at least in part on determined market conditions.

In some embodiments, the conversion rate may be determined based on afinancial performance of the asset at a future time, e.g., EBITDA (orother earnings or profit metric), e.g., over a period of time (such as aprior year, month, or multiple years or months).

In some embodiments, the conversion rate may be fixed at a time ofissuance of the preferred stock.

It should be appreciated that as discussed herein, a market conditionmay be any condition of the market, such as a value of an index, areference interest rate or other financial rate (e.g., LIBOR, TedSpread), and other financial discussed herein. Similarly, it should beappreciated that a financial performance metric, e.g., of an asset, maycomprise any financial performance metric of an asset, such as a profit,earnings, dividend, or other financial metric, e.g., measured over oneor more periods of time.

In some embodiments, various systems and methods are provided forcreating, displaying, editing, and managing a financial instrument. Thefinancial instrument may be created, edited, managed, or issued inaccordance with one or more transactions, e.g., a loan-type transactionfor funding an acquisition or other transaction, such as a purchase ofone or more properties, one or more businesses, one or more financialinstruments, and/or one or more other assets. One or more parties may beparties to the financial instrument. For example, the financialinstrument may comprise a contract and/or agreement between at least onelending party and at least one owning and/or borrowing party. It will beappreciated that one or more loaning parties and one or more owningand/or borrowing parties may be party to the financial instrumentrespecting a transaction or group of transactions, and that one or morefinancial instruments may be created, revised, or managed in connectionwith a single transaction.

For purposes of providing a clear description, this description mayrefer to a single transaction (e.g., a purchase transaction) wherein thefinancial instrument is created or modified so that a single purchaser(e.g., ABC Co.) and a single lender can acquire a business (e.g., a“Company,” e.g., that operates on a property owned by the Company),wherein the financing agreement is defined by a financial instrumentaccording to various embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, forpurposes of this description, the one or more lending parties may becollectively be referred to as the “Lender,” and the one or more owningand/or borrowing parties may be referred to as the “Investor” (e.g., ABCCo.). It should be appreciated that while an Investor may be deemed tobe the “owner” (or borrower) with respect to a business or other assetfinanced at least in part using a financial instrument of the presentinvention, the Lender may own some equity and/or other financialinterests in the business pursuant to the terms of the FinancialInstrument. A financial instrument according to various embodiments ofthe present invention may be referred to herein as a “FinancialInstrument.”

The Financial Instrument may specify and/or define (e.g., by contract)one or more types of equity interest to be owned, e.g., at variousdifferent times during the term of the Financial Instrument, by theLender and the Investor. The financial instrument may have a debtcomponent, an equity component, both an equity and a debt component, andin some embodiments one or more other financial components. Thefinancial instrument may specify a full or partial conversion of onecomponent of the Financial Instrument (e.g., debt) into anothercomponent (e.g., equity). For example, the financial instrument mayprovide for the conversion of a portion of loan into equity owned by theLender upon one or more conditions, such as one or more performanceparameters of the Company at one or more different times. Accordingly,the percentage of equity owned by the Lender and Investor may change atdifferent times based on such criteria, e.g., according to theperformance of the Company at different times (e.g., as measured by oneor more criteria, e.g., EBITDA for the last twelve months at variousyear-end points during the term of the financial instrument, and/orother criteria).

In some embodiments, the Financial Instrument may replace an existingfinancial instrument (existing prior to the formation, generation,execution, applicability of, or other time associated with the FinancialInstrument). For example, the Financial Instrument may be created and/orexecuted pursuant to a restructuring of a pre-existing loan with anotherparty. For example, the Financial Instrument may be created to replace aloan on an asset (such as a business) wherein an owner of the asset maybe unable or unwilling to repay the loan. In some embodiments, theFinancial Instrument may be a modification of an existing financialinstrument such as a loan. For example, the Financial Instrument may bea refinanced loan, e.g., wherein a borrower wishes to keep the loan butrestructure some of the loan terms such as interest rate.

In some embodiments, one or more terms or features of the FinancialInstrument may change based on one or more factors, conditions, and/orother criteria. The factors, conditions, and/or other criteria mayinclude any one or more of the following, e.g., as measured at one ormore specific future times (e.g., a specific number of months or yearsinto the term of the Financial Instrument such as six months, one year,two years, five years, ten years, etc.): performance parameters (e.g.,financial performance parameters of a Company such as revenue, EBITDA,sales), market conditions (e.g., interest rate, LIBOR, Ted Spread,prevailing mortgage rates, T-bill prices), performance of the terms ofthe Financial Instrument (e.g., history of payments made on a FinancialInstrument loan, such as percentage of payments made on time and/ortotal amounts paid compared with amounts owed as of one or more times),and/or other criteria. For example, one or more terms of the FinancialInstrument, such as a pro forma amount of the loan and an amount (e.g.,percentage) of equity provided to the Lender (e.g., at a particulartime), may depend and/or may change (e.g., over time) based on aCompany's performance (e.g., EBITDA as measured at one or moreparticular times, such as each year for five years, or any otherperformance parameter discussed herein).

In some embodiments, a processor may generate and transmit informationassociated with a Financial Instrument. For example, a processor maygenerate terms of the Financial Instrument, such as coupon rate,performance parameters or benchmarks, equity and loan amounts undervarious scenarios (such as an equity/loan chart showing equity and loanamounts under various company performance scenarios), and/or any and allof the types of information shown in the various FIGURES in thisapplication. This information may be transmitted (e.g., electronicallyvia email or other electronic communication) to one or more users, e.g.,the Company, Purchaser, Lender, and/or one or more users associatedtherewith. In some embodiments, the information may be generated basedon information received from a user (e.g., a representative of theLender).

In some embodiments, a processor may enable one or more users to inputvarious information (e.g., various terms of the Financial Instrument).The processor may receive information (e.g., financial information suchas LIBOR, published mortgage rates, T-bill prices, and other financialinformation) from other sources, such as data feeds and websites. Forexample, the processor may periodically update information used todetermine one or more terms of the Financial Instrument.

The processor may generate a schedule of information (e.g., such asthose shown in the FIGURES), e.g., based on information received fromusers and other sources. The processor may transmit the information orotherwise cause the information to be output, e.g., at a display screenof one or more users. One or more users may modify one or more inputparameters to modify the schedules. Such information may be updated inreal time on the display screens of each user, e.g., during a FinancialInstrument configuration session. In some embodiments, a processor mayoutput one or more terms associated with the Financial Instrument suchas a contract (e.g., including terms specified by the one or more usersusers) defining the Financial Instrument (e.g., including a paymentschedule and a schedule of possible equity/loan splits). In someembodiments, one or more users may execute the contract (e.g., bysigning with a digital signature) via the processor over a computernetwork. The processor may transmit a confirmation that the contract hasbeen executed by one or more parties to the contract. For example, theprocessor may output a copy of the executed contract to the parties tothe contract, e.g., via email or other electronic transmission.

FIGS. 1-4 depict an exemplary embodiment of a Financial Instrumentaccording to various embodiments of the invention. Various embodimentsof the invention are exemplified by one or more of FIGS. 1-4, and as awhole FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one exemplary embodiment.

An exemplary term sheet for a financial instrument according to at leastone embodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein may includethe terms, conditions, and specifications described below. The termsidentified below may apply to a single embodiment of the invention thatis illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

Term: 10 years with two (2) five-year extensions; Services: Allstrategic direction, positioning, marketing, and other managementservices, as well as oversight of any development or redevelopment ofthe property; termination: only in event of significant underperformance relative to agreed budget/forecast, after appropriate cureperiod and other TBD provisions; Base Fee: 1% of gross revenues;Incentive Fees: 1% of gross revenues in excess of $175 million, plus 5%of EBITDA in excess of $25 million.

The initial capitalization and deal structure for the exemplaryFinancial Instrument may be defined at least in part by the followingterms and specifications:

-   -   Lender to convert pre-existing loan to a new Financial        Instrument: (1) $400 million new loan (“Reverse Convertible        loan” or “RC Loan”); (2) 20% diluted common equity interest. (It        should be appreciated that although various embodiments may be        described with reference to a Reverse Convertible loan or “RC        Loan,” in some embodiments a conversion of the loan may be        mandatory or at least provided under certain circumstances        (e.g., based on various triggering conditions set forth in an        agreement), in various embodiments a loan need not be converted.        It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the        terms of the RC Loan may specify that conversion of the loan (as        described below) is mandatory, e.g., predetermined prior to the        conversion date such as on the original date of execution of the        Loan. In some embodiments, conversion of the loan may not be        mandatory but may be at the option of one or more of the        parties, such as at the option of the party who will obtain        equity upon conversion, or in other embodiments at the option of        the party providing equity.)    -   ABC Investment Co. to invest 25 million as preferred equity in        Company, which converts to 80% common equity on a 1-to-1 basis.        (In should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the        financial instrument from the initial investment (here,        preferred equity) may not convert to another financial        instrument (such as common equity), but rather may remain in its        initial form.)    -   RC loan to have the following features: (1) Coupon of 2.5% for        first year, thereafter resets on a quarterly basis based on        actual LTM (Last Twelve Months) performance (see table in FIG.        3); (2) Term of 10 years, wherein (a) Initial 5 years (the RC        Loan Measurement Date), at which point partial equity conversion        may occur; and (b) 5 years thereafter at the then-prevailing        coupon; and (3) Conversion at RC Loan Measurement Date per        then-effective LTM EBITDA (see table in FIG. 4).    -   The RC Loan will have a variable interest rate: (1) First 12        months: 2.5%; (2) Thereafter, adjustable quarterly based on the        LTM EBITDA of the business (until year 5), wherein rate        increases 25 bps for every $5 million improvement in EBITDA        (over $25 million); (3) Years 6-10, rate remains at the rate        prevailing at the RC Loan Measurement Date.

It should be appreciated that the RC loan described above may be used toconvert a pre-existing loan that has coupon far in excess of the actualvalue of the underlying assets, e.g., due to poor performance by theCompany, poor economic conditions, or other causes. Accordingly, theLender may seek to convert or modify the loan, e.g., as part of arestructuring. In some embodiments, such modification or restructuringmay occur to avoid a bankruptcy proceeding. In some embodiments, aFinancial Instrument such as the one described in FIGS. 1-4 (e.g.,having the terms described above) may incorporate terms that specify howto modify various terms (e.g., equity percentages and interest rates)under various business performance metrics or conditions or marketconditions at a future time, e.g., similar to terms that may have beendetermined at such future time by a negotiation between similarlysituated parties at that time, or according to what a bankruptcy courtmay determine in a restructuring.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary effective coupon for a financial instrumentaccording to at least one embodiment of the systems and methodsdescribed herein, e.g., for a financial instrument having the termsdescribed above.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary conversion test for a financial instrumentaccording to at least one embodiment of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary valuation at various break points for afinancial instrument according to at least one embodiment of the systemsand methods disclosed herein. For example, each column shows a financialpicture of Financial Instrument and the economics between the partiesfor different values of Company EBITDA over the last twelve months (LTM)as measured at year 5. (Such measurement and variable conversion intoequity at year 5 is specified in the terms of the Financial Instrument,as described above.) Here, the value of the enterprise (ABC) as measuredat year 5 is considered to be eight times the last twelve months EBITDA(as measured at year 5). Thus, in the far right-hand column, the valueof ABC is determined to be 640 (e.g., 640 million) based on an LTMEBITDA at year five of 64 million. The pro forma debt in suchcircumstance is 400 million, and so the remaining equity value is $240million ($640 million minus $400 million debt). ABC Investment companyowns $192 million of that equity, and Lender owns $48 million. One ofordinary skill can appreciate that contrary to many traditional loanstructures, the pro forma debt on the chart is highest ($400 million)when Company ABC performs the best in year 5 (highest EBITDA in year 5),and lowest (S 125 million) when Company ABC performs worst in year 5($25 million EBITDA in year 5).

The total economics values are a comparison of the equity owned by ABCInvestment Co. to the Lender's total economics (e.g., the $25 millionpaid to Lender by ABC Co. on day 1, the pro forma debt, and the Lender'sequity.) One of skill in the art will appreciate that the totaleconomics values in the chart of FIG. 3 do not take into account debtpaydown/accumulation of cash balance over five-year period, or thebenefit of interest payments.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that if the Company is asignificantly underwater asset held by Lender before converting the loanto the exemplary Financial Instrument, then the Financial Instrument ofthe present example may result in superior total recovery for the Lenderrelative to a more traditional structure described below, and may helpthe Lender to avoid a significant writedown of debt/investment for theLender.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary comparison of various deal structuresincluding a deal structure based on a financial instrument according toat least one embodiment of the systems and methods disclosed herein.

In comparison to the terms of the exemplary Financial Instrumentdescribed in FIGS. 1-3, a more conventional approach to replacing anexisting loan by a Lender might envision a reduction in debt to a levelof $125-150 million, plus a $25 million new investment for a 50%economic equity interest. Such conventional approach may result in agreater loan writedown by the Lender. Such a large writedown by theLender may result in inferior economics for the Lender. In contrast, theexemplary Financial Instrument described in FIGS. 1-3 may result in asmaller writedown by the Lender. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, underthe structure of the exemplary Financial Instrument, the Lender capturesup to $58 million more of value/recovery relative to such “standard”approach.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments (not defined in FIGS.1-4), the terms and conditions for a different exemplary FinancialInstrument may be different from those specified above. For example,such other Financial Instruments may not convert or replace apre-existing financial instrument such as a loan, but rather may becreated independently of any other loan or financing instrument. Thefinancial instrument may be in any dollar value, or may be specified ina values or partial values other than a currency, such as in shares ofstock, bonds, or other financial instruments, real property, and/orother assets. The Financial Instrument may or may not have one or moreInvestors or Owners, and any such Investor may or may not receive equityor another interest in the Company. Such equity or other interest may ormay not convert into another interest in the Company or other entity (orcash). The Financial Instrument may have a fixed or variable couponaccording to a variety of different pre-defined or variable schedulesand coupon rates, and any such variable rate may reset at a variety ofdifferent times or upon the occurrence of a variety of differentconditions, such as achieving specific financial performance metrics.The Financial Instrument may or may not convert in whole or in part intoequity in the Company at one or more different times and/or upon one ormore different conditions, e.g., financial market or performanceconditions. The Financial Instrument may have a fixed or variableinterest rate determined based on one or more conditions or performancemetrics.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention may comprise one ormore processors that create, modify, display, or transmit to variousparties (such as Lender and Investor), and/or enable such parties tospecify, information about a Financial Instrument as described herein.For example, a method according to various embodiments of the inventionis provided wherein one or more of the following actions take place:information about the financial instrument is received, e.g., from aLender and/or Investor; information about the financial is modified,e.g., by a processor, e.g., at the request of a Lender and/or Investor;terms of a financial instrument are determined based on suchinformation; information about the financial instrument is output at adisplay device, e.g., to the Lender and/or Investor; the terms aremodified based on inputs by the Lender and/or Investor; the processormodifies the terms of the financial instrument and outputs such terms onthe display device; indication of acceptance of the terms is receivedfrom the Investor and Lender; the financial instrument is generated;information about the Financial Instrument is output to the Lender andInvestor, e.g., such as information similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprising a processor is configuredto perform such method based on instructions stored on a memoryelectronically coupled to the processor.

ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

It will be understood that the technologies described herein for making,using, or practicing various embodiments are but a subset of thepossible technologies that may be used for the same or similar purposes.The particular technologies described herein are not to be construed aslimiting. Rather, various embodiments contemplate alternate technologiesfor making, using, or practicing various embodiments.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. The method may include more,fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in anysuitable order without departing from the scope of the invention.

While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodimentsand generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of theembodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does notconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure, as defined by the claims herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. An apparatus comprising: a memory; a network interface;at least one processor to: receive, via the network interface, futureperformance parameters associated with an asset; receive a request togenerate data indicative of a financial instrument comprising a fundinginstrument that specifies rights and obligations of at least a firstparty and a second party respecting a funding contribution from thefirst party for funding the asset owned at least in part by the secondparty; determine a plurality of possible measurements of a futureperformance of the asset based at least partially on the futureperformance parameters; determine a conversion schedule for convertingat least some rights of the first party in the financial instrument intoan equity component of the asset, in which the conversion schedulespecifies a possible post-conversion equity component for each of thefuture performance parameters, such that the conversion schedulespecifies a greater possible post-conversion equity component for agreater possible performance measurement; transmit the conversionschedule to the second party; receive an indication that the first andsecond party agree to terms of the financial instrument; transmit to thesecond party a confirmation of acceptance of the financial instrument;after transmission of the confirmation of acceptance, determine aperformance of the asset according to the terms of the financialinstrument; determine a post-conversion amount based on the performanceof the asset according to the conversion schedule; transmit data to thesecond party indicative of a contract comprising the financialinstrument has been executed; receive, from input devices of computingdevices of users, data representing input parameters to modify theconversion schedule; and update the future performance parameters ondisplay screens of computing devices of users.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, in which the at least one processor is further configured to:transmit data to the second party indicating that the contractcomprising the financial instrument has been executed.
 4. The apparatusof claim 2, in which the conversion schedule further indicates a futuretime upon which the future performance of the asset will be measured. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, in which the financial instrument specifiesthat some of rights of the first party automatically convert to apost-conversion equity component according to the conversion scheduleif, at a future time, the asset satisfies a given performance metric. 6.The apparatus of claim 2, in which the financial instrument specifiesthat some of rights of the first party convert to a post-conversionequity component according to the conversion schedule if both (a) at afuture time, the asset satisfies a given performance metric and (b) thefirst party converts some of the rights of the first party into thepost-conversion equity component.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, in whichthe financial instrument specifies that some of rights of the firstparty automatically convert to a post-conversion equity componentaccording to the conversion schedule if, at a predetermined future time,the asset satisfies a given performance metric.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 2, in which the financial instrument specifies that some of rightsof the first party automatically convert to a post-conversion equitycomponent according to the conversion schedule upon an occurrence of theasset satisfying a predetermined performance metric.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 2, in which the financial instrument specifies that some of rightsof the first party automatically convert to a post-conversion equitycomponent according to the conversion schedule upon an occurrence of oneor more predetermined market conditions.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2,in which the future performance parameters are based on potentialmeasurements of asset earnings at one or more future times, the futuretimes being determined prior to execution of the contract comprising thefinancial instrument.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, in which thefinancial instrument comprises a loan component wherein the first partyis a lender of funds and the second party is a borrower.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 2, in which the conversion schedule further specifiesa post-conversion debt component owed by the second party to the firstparty after the converting.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2, in which thepost-conversion amount comprises equity that may be converted from atleast a portion of a loan component upon an election of the first partyafter an occurrence of a corresponding possible performance measurement.14. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the post-conversion amountcomprises equity that will automatically be converted from at least aportion of a loan component as a result of an occurrence of acorresponding possible performance measurement.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 2, in which the equity component comprises common stock in theasset.
 16. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the equity componentcomprises preferred stock in the asset.
 17. The apparatus of claim 2, inwhich the equity component comprises preferred stock in the asset, inwhich the preferred stock is configured to receive dividend paymentsfrom the second party after converting.